(I originally had a lot to say, but writing it all out might not quite convey what I meant. From now on, I'll put those comments in the summaries. I caught a cold today when the temperature dropped, but I'm much better now. Here's the second update; we'll see about a third. There'll be an extra update tomorrow, too.)
When Chen Yu woke up the next day, he had no idea what the date was. But winter was approaching, and he needed to confirm something-something he did every year.
"I'm going to find Senku," Chen Yu said, looking at Tsukasa.
"Why?" Tsukasa asked, looking into Chen Yu's eyes.
"You should know Senku wouldn't die that easily. Wasn't that why you sent Gen down the mountain-to make sure? But Gen's answer didn't convince you, did it?" Chen Yu smiled at Tsukasa as he finished speaking.
"I only had my doubts. But if you say he's still alive, then I suppose he is," Tsukasa said heavily.
"Just doubts? Well, there's something I need to confirm, too. Otherwise, I won't be able to rest easy," Chen Yu said with a soft chuckle.
"Will you come back?" Tsukasa asked after a moment of silence.
"Of course..." Chen Yu said firmly. "After all, if you were left all alone, you'd be sad, wouldn't you?"
Having said that, he watched Tsukasa grow a little bashful.
"Nothing of the sort. Go on, get going." With that, Tsukasa pushed Chen Yu outside.
Seeing Tsukasa turn away without looking back, Chen Yu chuckled and skipped off.
Once he sensed that Chen Yu had left, Tsukasa punched the nearby stone wall, sending a dozen cracks spreading across it.
Damn you, Senku. You're finished.
As Chen Yu walked, he picked flowers along the roadside, mostly red and yellow ones. Unfortunately, their season was nearly over.
Winter's almost here. Better hurry.
Later, he arrived at Ishigami Village. Kinro and Ginro, who were guarding the village, chatted with him briefly before letting him in.
He also ran into Gen here. Apparently, something had prevented him from going back to Hyoga.
Chen Yu then went straight to Senku and asked, "What's the date today?"
"Today? Huh? Oh... so that's what this is about. Today's October third..." Senku hadn't understood at first, but then something occurred to him, and he gave the date in a subdued voice.
"It's already passed? Then can I celebrate the occasion here?" Hearing the date left Chen Yu a little frustrated.
"Of course..." Senku replied, then watched Chen Yu get to work.
The strange atmosphere surrounding Chen Yu and Senku drew everyone over.
"What's Chen Yu doing?" Kohaku asked.
"He's drawing something on the ground..." Suika watched Chen Yu's finger move continuously across the earth.
Chrome wanted to go over for a closer look, but Senku stopped him.
"Don't go over there. Don't disturb him," Senku told Chrome solemnly.
"Huh? Oh, all right." Chrome didn't understand, but he still backed away.
Seeing the crowd gathering there, the other villagers came over as well.
They watched curiously as Chen Yu drew on the ground. Since everyone was quiet, they stayed as quiet as they could, too.
Once he finished drawing, Chen Yu laid the flowers on the ground, setting five clusters of yellow flowers amid a field of red.
"What is this?" Ruri asked.
"..." Senku remained silent. Perhaps he didn't know whether it was his place to answer.
Chen Yu was pleased with his handiwork, and memories surfaced in his mind.
Every year, he would return home around this time to watch a grand ceremony-the... flag-raising ceremony.
I'm far too late this time. More than thirty-seven hundred years late. I hope it's still not too late, here in this Stone World.
Coming out of his memories, Chen Yu faced west and saluted.
(Sorry it took me so long to realize it was west. The idea of the Eastern Great Nation threw me off, and I completely forgot about the island's location.)
"What's going on? Why does Chen Yu feel so dignified and imposing right now?" Kokuyo asked in a trembling voice.
Senku watched Chen Yu as well, remaining silent.
"Because this embodies the spirits of countless heroes. Do you understand?" Chen Yu said, looking at the people behind him.
Faced with Chen Yu's solemn expression, the more timid among them had already closed their eyes and clung to whatever was beside them, trembling.
Gen looked at the image on the ground and understood something. He, too, stayed silent. Like Senku, he didn't know whether it was his place to speak.
Afterward, Chen Yu sat at the edge of the cliff, gazing west toward his homeland. He also told everyone not to damage the image or disturb him.
Everyone complied; since Senku was the village chief, they listened to what he said as well.
As Chen Yu sat there, he recalled what had happened back then...
"Xiao Yu, are you ready? We need to leave right away, or we'll miss it." At four in the morning, Mother Chen knocked on Chen Yu's bedroom door and asked.
"I'm ready, I'm ready. Let's go." Chen Yu opened the door and came out fully dressed.
"All right, get everything together. We're heading out." Father Chen came out as well, spoke to the mother and son, then grabbed his coat and went outside.
The three of them then traveled to the square by car.
The ceremony had yet to begin, and they had arrived early. There weren't too many people at first, but after they waited a while, the crowd gradually grew until the square was packed, though there was still some space between people.
At last, the time came. Solemn, stately music began to play, and the national flag slowly rose. In his previous life, he had only seen it on television; he hadn't expected this to be his first time watching it in person.
Every year afterward, he would come here to watch the flag-raising ceremony...
He remained silent until dusk, when he finally stirred.
He stretched, then cleared away every trace, little by little.
Then he smiled again.
Afterward, Chen Yu asked Gen about his situation and learned that Hyoga had attacked the previous night. Kinro had pretended he couldn't hold his own and retreated, drawing Hyoga in, only to suddenly unleash Return Horse Spear and drive him back. In the end, after carefully considering their options, they had used the darkness to bluff Hyoga into believing they had already made firearms. Hyoga had finally withdrawn, but his group could return at any time over the next few days.
Kinro hadn't been injured this time, though he wasn't feeling well either. Chen Yu gave him a quick examination, and with other medicine available to treat him, he would recover soon.
Since it was so late, Chen Yu stayed the night as well. He hadn't brought the Medical Trio this time. Even if fighting broke out later and he couldn't return, Ukyo and Tsukasa would look after them, and no one would dare try anything.
Meanwhile, Tsukasa had brought the women to his own place and set up an extra room for them to rest in. He slept next door, keeping watch over their surroundings.
Over this time, he had become certain that all three were people Chen Yu cared deeply about. He could tell from how Chen Yu had asked Ukyo to protect them in secret and from the attention he gave them.
As for the people Chen Yu protected, Tsukasa only wanted to protect Chen Yu and his sister. If he added anything else to that list, it would be whatever Chen Yu and his sister cherished.
The two wished each other good night from afar, then went to sleep.
The next morning, Chen Yu woke up and saw Kohaku still holding a horse stance. He gave her a pat. "That's enough. Now I'll teach you martial arts."
Kohaku's eyes sparkled when she heard that (´｡✪ω✪｡｀), and she jumped up with an excited cry. "Yay~ I can finally learn martial arts!"
A few peaceful days passed, and then a group of people appeared at the village entrance...
Before you continue